T

he 16th annual Trade Secrets event, a fund-
raiser for Gesher Human Services’ many 
workforce initiatives for Metro Detroit 
women, such as the flagship Women to Work pro-
gram and financial education and computer train-
ing classes, will be held at the Detroit Marriott Troy 
on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. The event includes 
a reception, dinner and silent auction.
It is hoped Trade Secrets 2024 will raise 
$275,000; more than $2 million dollars has been 
raised for women’s programming since the annu-
al event started. A significant number of Metro 
Detroit women-owned businesses are supporting 
Trade Secrets this year as sponsors or silent auction 
donors, including skinnytees, Bra-vo Intimates, 
Greene & Co., Winning Imprints, Art & Frame, 
FAIRCLOTH Boutique, Fascination Factory, My 
House of Style and Franklin Cider Mill. 
 “It is truly inspiring that so many women-owned 
businesses have come together to ensure that this 
year’s event will be a success,” said event chair 
Linda Schlesinger-Wagner, who is also the founder 
of skinnytees. “Women are empowering women 
in the community who need a helping hand to get 
where they want to be, and they are doing it with 
love.” 
More than 15,000 women in Metro Detroit were 
assisted by Gesher Human Services programs last 
year, offering important opportunities for women 
to learn new skills and improve the lives of their 
families. 
Women to Work helps women re-enter the 
workforce after significant life-changing events 
such as a financial need due to family job loss, 
divorce, death or disability of a spouse or partner. 
Women are provided with assessment, testing and 
job search training, emerging from the program 
with renewed self-confidence, market-ready job 
skills and an action plan. 

AMY NEDERLANDER HONORED
This year’s honoree and keynote speaker will be 
Amy Nederlander, whose family has been synon-
ymous with Detroit and the theater world since 
1912, when her grandfather David T. Nederlander 
purchased a 99-year lease on the Detroit Opera 
House, and her family went on to build one of the 
largest privately held live entertainment companies 
in the world. 

Amy Nederlander is herself an entertainment 
industry producer and an expert in strategic 
business development and continues her family’s 
commitment to a thriving Detroit, co-founding a 
nonprofit called L!FE Leaders Inc., which builds 
and amplifies youth skills and voices, networks of 
relationships and their direct involvement in the 
city’s prosperity. 

Gesher Human Services CEO Paul Blatt says 
Nederlander embodies everything that is great 
about Detroit. 
“Hard work, an entrepreneurial spirit and, with 
her many philanthropic efforts, empowering and 
strengthening young people in the community she 

loves,” he said. “We are excited that Amy believes 
strongly in Gesher’s mission and our programs, like 
Women to Work, that help participants find ways 
to strengthen themselves, even reinvent themselves, 
opening up pathways to new opportunities.” 
“It’s an honor to be honored,” Nederlander said. 
“Gesher is an incredible, impactful organization. 
They work with over 15,000 women a year, and 
being a woman, it’s beyond special.”
In many respects, Trade Secrets is really about 
successful women sharing their “secrets of success” 
as a woman. 
“The secret of success is believing in yourself 
and being fearless,” Nederlander said. “When our 
peers believe in us, you’re more likely to believe it, 
and that’s a wonderful way to learn.”
To purchase tickets, become a sponsor and learn 
more, visit geshermi.org/events. 
“It would be great if people could join us 
because it’s really a celebration,” she added. “It’s 
a celebration of success and mentoring people to 
believe in themselves and help them achieve the 
success they dream about.” 

This year’s honoree and keynote speaker 
will be Amy Nederlander.

Gesher’s 
Annual Trade 
Secrets Event

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

OUR COMMUNITY

12 | NOVEMBER 7 • 2024 J
N

Amy Nederlander
Linda Schlesinger-Wagner

NATURALLY MONNI

Paul Blatt

MATERIALS 
Almost Anything* BOLD and BRIGHT.

*Items not allowed: 
• Glitter • Light blue crayons 
• Pencils • Computer generated artwork

REQUIREMENTS 
A fully completed entry form (below) as well as a 
color photo of the artist who submitted. Photos must be 
taped or glued to the back of the art submission along 
with the entry form. Please no staples or paperclips. 
Only one submission per child is allowed. 

PRIZES 
$100 GRAND PRIZE and their submission on the front 
cover of December 19th issue of the Detroit Jewish News.

First, Second, and Third place winners in each age 
category will receive $18.

DEADLINE: Sunday, December 8, 2024 
 
PLEASE MAIL SUBMISSIONS OR DROP 
IN THE BOX OUTSIDE OF OUR OFFICE: 
The Detroit Jewish News ATTN: CCC 
32255 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 205 
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Artist's Name:_______________________________________________________________________ Age:___________

Parents' Names: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________________

City:____________________________________________________________ State:__________ Zip:________________

Day Phone:___________________________________
 Evening Phone: _______________________________________ 

Email:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

School:_______________________________________ 
Religious 
School:______________________________________

SEND TO: The Detroit Jewish News ATTN: CCC | 32255 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334

ENTRY FORM

CHANUKAH
A

